Honorary alumna and Athletic Cornerstone Partner Candi Glenn has committed herself to making a remarkable impact on her community and the Clemson Family
Candi Glenn has one piece of advice for her younger self: Get to Clemson as soon as you can. “Going to Clemson is kind of like living in Texas for me. I wasn’t born there, but I got there as fast as I could!”
Candi, as an honorary alumna of the University, and her husband, Gerald Glenn ’64, are generous Clemson benefactors who have made it their priority to impact the future of Clemson students and create opportunities for aspiring Tigers. The couple has been champions for several Clemson initiatives. Both Candi and her husband serve as dedicated members on Clemson University’s Committee on Philanthropy. They also named the Glenn Department of Civil Engineering and created the Gerald and Candice Glenn Family Unrestricted Endowment for Clemson Athletics.
“It is so special when we get a thank you note from scholarship recipients in the civil engineering department,” she says. “It really changes their lives to be able to attend Clemson and not have a heavy student debt.”
A graduate of University of California, Irvine and licensed attorney, Candi has committed much of her life to the betterment of her community. She served as a board member for the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, a local amphitheater in The Woodlands, Texas, and was eventually elected chairwoman. In this role, she was instrumental in the rebuilding efforts of the facility after it was damaged by Hurricane Ike in September 2008. Her efforts and dedication helped the facility reopen in May 2009 having missed hardly any shows. For her service to her community, she was recognized as a Hometown Hero in The Woodlands.
Despite her remarkable achievements in community service and philanthropy, Candi states the achievement that she is most proud of is helping to raise the Glenn children. Gina is a Winthrop graduate who owns and operates Sweet Paws Inn, a pet care business in Greer, SC. Both Mike and Charlie are devoted Clemson alumni with bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and lifelong learners.
Her older son, Mike ’16, went on to get his law degree from University of California, Irvine and is currently pursuing a master’s in electrical engineering at Clemson. Her younger son, Charlie ’18, is currently serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. He and his wife, Bethany ’18, a Clemson nursing graduate, blessed Candi and Gerald with their first grandchild, Graham Marie Glenn, in January 2021.
“I truly believe that having Clemson degrees has opened doors for the boys,” she says.
Being named an honorary alumna was an honor that Candi holds dear to her heart. This designation was awarded to her by President Clements prior to the Clemson vs. Texas A&M game in 2019. She was selected by the Alumni Association Honors and Awards Committee based on her outstanding service and lifelong dedication to the University. She has always been considered an influential member of the Clemson Family and is thrilled to finally be able to wear a Clemson Ring of her own.
Above all, Candi considers her most important role to be her mother’s part-time caretaker. At 96, her mother has boasted a life of adventure, including serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and traveling around the world afterward.
“She is my inspiration,” Candi says. “I’m learning so many new things taking care of her, and I am so grateful to have this opportunity. That is my favorite role right now.”
Candi and Gerald Glenn currently reside in The Woodlands, Texas with their dog, Sterling.